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Date Nights on a Budget
Written by Asmi Chinauriya Somehow, someway, we have started associating dates with a price tag. The bill on the first date is the main topic of many conversations, especially on social media. However, this does not mean that date nights always have to be in a high-end restaurant with a bill to pay. You should not have to wait for a bonus or your paycheck to spend a romantic night with someone that you love. Date nights can simply involve doing things together that you both enjoy. Learning new hobbies together, spending time on said hobbies together, and many more. Here are more examples: Cooking: it can be themed on…
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“I Love You” in a Language My Parents Could Speak
Written by Jodie Li “I love you.” Three words that, for many Asian Americans, aren’t a daily reassurance but almost a shock to hear. If I heard those words from my parents, I’d honestly be worried something bad had happened. But not hearing “I love you” doesn’t mean love isn’t there. Many Asian immigrants grew up in cultures where words of affirmation weren’t the norm. Love was shown, not said. It’s like speaking different languages; you wouldn’t expect someone to understand you if you only spoke yours and never tried to learn theirs. The same goes for love. I’ve learned to listen for “I love you” in the language my…
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When Pixar Feels Like a Love Letter: Watching “Elemental”
Written by Mikhaella Lopez The theme of love is a recurring point that is seen in almost every Pixar movie. Whether that be familial love like Marlin and Nemo in Finding Nemo, or a platonic love between Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan in Monsters University, love exists in every single movie Pixar has created. As someone who grew up watching Disney and Pixar movies, I fell in love with the different characters throughout the years; from Lightning McQueen from Cars to Mama Imelda from Coco, there were many characters to love. I first heard of Elemental back when I still used to work as a boba barista at a…
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Love Letters to my Loved Ones
Written by Ruthie Suarez To My Sweetest Companions, Carson & Cardo You both came into my life when I needed something quiet, something warm, someone who didn’t ask questions. And somehow, you just knew. Carson, you are my loud little comfort machine. When my anxiety starts climbing, and my thoughts feel too big, you jump onto my chest and start purring like you’re on a mission. It’s not a soft background hum. It’s deep and steady and powerful. Your whole body vibrates against mine, and somehow my breathing slows to match it. My heart settles. The panic fades. Cardo, you are my quiet warmth. The one who curls perfectly into…
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Ponyo: A Platonic Love Story
Written by Sophia Kim Studio Ghibli movies are always filled with a magical sense to them, and watching Ponyo is no different. Between the beautiful art style from Hayao Miyazaki and immersive music from Joe Hisaishi, Ponyo would make an amazing watch for Valentine’s Day, or any occasion! Ponyo starts off with the premise of Ponyo (the goldfish) wanting to become a human and experience life on land. Similar to the plot of The Little Mermaid by Disney, there is a feel of “love story” to Ponyo, but to write it off as simply a love story would be a misinterpretation. Ponyo is truly centered around trust, pure affection, and…
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Silent Thanks: Unspoken Ways Asian Families Show Appreciation
Written by Asmi Chinauriya Asian households are known to be strict, and the children are known to be disciplined from a young age. Many Asian children don’t learn to show their appreciation for things from a young age because they never had anyone to teach them. Though the parents do a wonderful job teaching their children how to respect others and how to act in public, they often forget to teach them how to show their appreciation. Does this mean that no one in an Asian household shows appreciation? Absolutely not. It means that it just may not be in the way that many people around the world are used…
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Passing the Torch: Family Traditions I Continue to Uphold
Written by Francesca Tero My family has been at the heart of my earliest memories, shaping the traditions that have formed my strongest opinions and values. Every June during my most formative years, I would stand on stage to perform at an annual vocal recital in front of my entire community. This included my peers, teachers, various members of the church at which the recitals were always held, but most importantly, my parents, sister, cousins, Ninongs, and Ninangs, occupying a row of their own. Out of all of the people in the crowd, this was the only row whose eyes made me nervous. I remember also feeling shy at the…
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The Traits of a Perfect Couple: What We Admire Most
Submitted by Steven Pham When we think of the perfect couple, images of love-filled moments, mutual respect, and unwavering support often come to mind. Whether it’s inspired by a romantic comedy or an Instagram post, society tends to paint an idealized picture of relationships. But what truly makes a couple “perfect”? Perfection doesn’t mean flawless, rather, it’s about the qualities that help couples thrive and grow together. Let’s take a look at some of the most cherished qualities that help a relationship endure and thrive over time. 1. Communication: The Foundation of Strong Relationships At the heart of every successful relationship is clear and honest communication. Perfect couples are those…
